The Jena School for Microbial Communication (JSMC) is funded by the German Excellence Initiative. It conceptionally combines different research areas (microbial communities, interactions with plant, animal and human hosts and environmental interactions) to a comprehensive picture of microbial communication (www.jsmc.uni-jena.de). JSMC is an ambitious Graduate School comprising more than 150 PhD students who are educated in a structured, interdisciplinary training program based on top-level fundamental research. Five faculties of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena, six non-university research institutions as well as twelve partner companies are participating in this cutting edge research and training program which includes an innovative PhD program, career development and intensive sociocultural care. Three embedded existing Research Training Groups as well as twelve other cooperative research projects are engaged to incorporate novel research areas to achieve a complete v iew of microbial communication.

The Graduate School of Excellence JSMC invites applications for

4 PhD Student Fellowships

Methoden: We expect: - a Masters degree (or equivalent) in Natural or Life Sciences (e.g., Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Medical Sciences, etc.). Candidates about to earn their degree are welcome to apply. - high motivation and interest to join one of the interdisciplinary research areas of JSMC - creativity and interest to shape your own thesis project - an integrative and cooperative personality - very good communication skills in English (instruction language at JSMC)

We offer: - a highly communicative atmosphere within a scientific network providing top-level research conditions - a PhD stipend paid for 3 years according to the rules of the DFG (German Research Foundation) as well as generous research funding - a comprehensive mentoring program with efficient supervision by a team of supervisors - a structured PhD training program including courses in novel technologies and soft skills - Jena  the German City of Science 2008: a young and lively city with dynamic business activities, successful scientific centres of innovation and a vibrant cultural scene around the famous Friedrich Schiller University

To apply, please acquaint yourself with the vacant PhD projects and the application process described on this website. Applications can only be considered upon timely receipt of the completed Statement of Interest form submitted by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Selected applicants will be invited to a JSMC Recruitment Meeting in Jena, Germany, in December 2009. Awarding decisions will be made shortly thereafter, allowing for an immediate start of the PhD projects.

Application deadline (submission of the completed Statement of Interest form): For applicants requiring visa to attend the recruitment meeting: Deadline September 28, 2009 (Invitations will be sent out approx. 5 weeks before the meeting to allow enough time for the visa application)

For applicants not requiring a visa: Deadline October 19, 2009 (Here, invitations will be sent out approx. 2 weeks before the meeting. If you are not German or EU-national, please provide a statement, why a notification 2 weeks ahead will be sufficient for you to be able to attend the JSMC Recruitment Meeting; otherwise your application can not be considered after Sep 28, 2009)